Prime Minister of Japan’s Schedule August 17-23, 2015

Monday, August 17, 2015

AM
06:36 Depart from holiday home in Narusawa village, Yamanashi Prefecture
06:40 Arrive at golf course Fujizakura Country Club in Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi Prefecture. Play golf with Chairman of LDP Election Strategy Committee Motegi Toshimitsu, Chairman of Nippon Foundation Sasakawa Yohei, and Chairman of Fuji Television Network, Inc. Hieda Hisashi

PM
02:45 Depart from golf course
02:49 Arrive at holiday home
06:00 Depart from holiday home
06:24 Arrive at Hotel Mt. Fuji in Yamanakako village, Yamanashi Prefecture. Dinner meeting with Chairman of Fuji Television Network, Inc. Hieda Hisashi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu, LDP Lower House member Kishi Nobuo and colleagues in banquet hall Menuet
08:55 Depart from hotel
09:18 Arrive at holiday home

Abe Akie at Yasukuni

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

AM
08:00 At holiday home in in Narusawa village, Yamanashi Prefecture (no visitors)
Stay at holiday home throughout morning (no morning visitors)

Abe Akie , in Tokyo, visits Yasukuni Shrine. She wrote on her Facebook page that she “felt different” during her latest visit to the Shinto shrine because it came three days after she went to the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots (知覧特攻平和会館 Chiran Tokkō-Heiwa-Kaikan) former site of the Chiran Imperial Army Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture, from which some kamikaze pilots left on suicide missions at the end of World War II.

PM
12:57 Meet with Village Mayor of Narusawa Kobayashi Masaru
01:17 End meeting with Mr. Kobayashi
01:28 Meet with American Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick
Archbishop emeritus of Washington, was named a CSIS counselor in March 2007. 02:14 End meeting with Mr. McCarrick
04:30 Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru enters the villa
06:15 Barbeque with Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Hasegawa Eiichi, and secretaries
08:18 Mr. Kitamura leaves
11:02 Barbeque ends. Everyone leaves

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

AM
08:00 At holiday home in Narusawa village, Yamanashi Prefecture (no visitors)
Stay at holiday home throughout morning (no morning visitors)

PM
12:52 Depart from holiday home
01:02 Arrive at hot springs facility Fujiyama-Onsen in Fujiyoshida city, Yamanashi Prefecture. Take a bath
03:22 Depart from Fujiyama-Onsen
03:32 Arrive at holiday home
05:49 Depart from holiday home
05:59 Arrive at Chinese restaurant Ren in Fujiyoshida city. Dinner with his mother Abe Yoko and secretary
07:10 Depart from restaurant
07:20 Arrive at holiday home
11:59 At holiday home (no visitors)

Thursday, August 20, 2015

AM
08:00 At holiday home in Narusawa village, Yamanashi Prefecture (no visitors)
Stay at holiday home throughout morning (no morning visitors)

PM
02:57 Depart from holiday home
04:30 Arrive at private residence in Tokyo
11:59 At private residence (no visitors)

Friday, August 21, 2015

AM
08:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:43 Depart from private residence
08:57 Arrive at office
09:03 Cabinet meeting
09:12 Meeting ends
09:13 Meet with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance Aso Taro
09:18 End meeting with Mr. Aso
09:19 Meet with Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Shiozaki Yasuhisa
09:36 End meeting with Mr. Shiozaki
10:06 Meet with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko Hiroshige
11:16 End meeting with Mr. Seko
11:17 Meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida Fumio, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki Akitaka, and MOFA’s Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Ihara Junichi

PM
12:03 End meeting with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Saiki, and Mr. Ihara
12:04 Meet with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management Nishimura Yasuhiko, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Takamizawa Nobushige, and Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru
12:11 End meeting with Mr. Nishimura, Mr. Takamizawa and Mr. Kitamura
12:54 Depart from office
12:56 Arrive at Diet
12:58 Enter Committee Room No.1 of the House of Councilors
01:00 Meeting of the Special Committee of the House of Councilors on the Legislation for Peace and Security of Japan and the International Community opens
04:11 Meeting adjourns
04:12 Leave Committee Room No.1 of the House of Councilors
04:14 Depart from Diet
04:16 Arrive at office
04:30 Meet with Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru
04:39 End meeting with Mr. Kitamura
04:40 Meet with United States Senator Mazie Hirono
05:02 End meeting with Ms. Hirono
05:30 National Security Council meeting
05:43 Meeting ends
06:18 Depart from office
06:20 Arrive at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Nagata-cho, Tokyo. Dinner with secretary in restaurant ORIGAMI in the hotel
07:36 Depart from hotel
08:01 Arrive at private residence

Prime Minister of Japan’s Schedule August 10-16, 2015

Monday, August 10, 2015

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:42 Depart from private residence
08:54 Arrive at office
09:05 Meet with new Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Honkawa Kazuyoshi, and former Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minagawa Yoshitsugu
09:10 End meeting with Mr. Honkawa and Mr. Minagawa
09:11 Meet with Minister in charge of Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics Endo Toshiaki
09:24 End meeting with Mr. Endo
09:25 Meet with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko Hiroshige
10:32 End meeting with Mr. Seko
10:33 Meet with Chairperson of National Public Safety Commission Yamatani Eriko
10:54 End meeting with Ms. Yamatani
10:55 Meet with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hayashi Yoshimasa
11:03 End meeting with Mr. Hayashi
11:13 Meet with Minister for Reconstruction Takeshita Wataru
11:28 End meeting with Mr. Takeshita
11:29 Greet new Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda Ohta Kiyokazu and his colleagues
11:40 End greeting Mr. Ohta
11:41 Meet with Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Shiozaki Yasuhisa

PM
12:00 End meeting Mr. Shiozaki
12:01 Receive a proposal from on the New National Stadium from Chairman of New Komeito Diet Affairs Committee Oguchi Yoshinori, and colleague
12:10 End reception
12:37 Meet with Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki Akitaka
12:50 End meeting with Mr. Saiki
12:54 Depart from office
12:55 Arrive at Diet
12:57 Enter Upper House Committee Room No.1
01:00 Meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Councillors opens
05:17 Meeting adjourns
05:19 Exit Upper House Committee Room No.1
05:20 Enter State Ministers’ Room
05:21 Receive a policy proposal from LDP Lower House member Kawamura Takeo and other Diet members from Nikai Faction
05:27 End reception
05:28 Exit State Ministers’ Room
05:29 Depart from Diet
05:31 Arrive at office
05:32 Meet with Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan Ishiba Shigeru
05:58 End meeting with Mr. Ishiba
05:59 Meet with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy
06:32 End meeting with Ms. Kennedy
06:33 Record video message for Japan Tent, an international exchange event
06:39 End recording
06:40 Interview with news reporters. Express support for Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s restart of a reactor at its Sendai plant in southwest Japan, “All measures should be taken to ensure the safety before restarting the plant”
06:41 End interview
06:42 Depart from office
07:00 Arrive at private residence
07:16 Depart from private residence
08:48 Arrive at restaurant Sumibi Kushiyaki I. W in Fujiyoshida city, Yamanashi Prefecture. Dinner with secretaries
10:15 Depart from restaurant
10:25 Arrive at holiday home in Narusawa village, Yamanashi Prefecture

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

AM
12:00 At holiday home (no visitors)
Stay at holiday home throughout morning

PM
02:00 At holiday home
Stay at holiday home throughout afternoon
05:14 Depart from holiday home
05:22 Arrive at Chinese restaurant Isai Chugokusaikan Kokyu in Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi Prefecture. Dinner with PM’s mother Abe Yoko
07:36 Depart from restaurant
09:35 Arrive at private residence

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
09:29 Depart from private residence
10:02 Arrive at Haneda Airport
10:37 Depart from Haneda Airport by Flight 693, All Nippon Airways
11:53 Arrive at Yamaguchi Ube Airport

PM
12:03 Depart from Yamaguchi Ube Airport
12:43 Arrive at Yamaguchi Prefectural Office. Meet with Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture Muraoka Tsugumasa and Chairman of Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Hatahara Motonari.
02:00 Depart from prefectural office
02:12 Arrive at Hotel New Tanaka. Attend lecture meeting organized LDP Yamaguchi prefectural chapter.

Sumiyoshi Shrine
one of three

03:20 Depart from Hotel New Tanaka
04:21 Arrive at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Attend purification ceremony and commemorative photo session

Sumiyoshi Shrine in Shimonoseki worships the aramitama of the Sumiyoshi kami--the warlike, rough, violent side of the spirit--a spirit of victory. From 1871 through 1946, Sumiyoshi Taisha (in Osaka and part of the three Sumiyoshi shrines) was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
04:26 Depart from Sumiyoshi Shrine
05:01 Arrive at welfare facility Freude Konpira in Shimonoseki city. Visit supporters
05:18 Depart from Freude Konpira
05:31 Arrive at personal residence in Shimonoseki city
06:01 Depart from personal residence
06:17 Arrive at wedding hall Seamall Palace. Attend meeting of supporters’ group
08:00 Depart from wedding hall
08:22 Arrive at Iminomiya Shrine. Attend Suhoteisai Festivals and parades with wife Akie
08:44 Depart from Iminomiya Shrine
09:01 Arrive at chicken restaurant Kinkei. Dinner with wife Akie, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly member Hiraoka Nozomu, and colleagues
10:04 Depart from restaurant
10:14 Arrive at personal residence

Thursday, August 13, 2015

AM
12:00 At personal residence in Shimonoseki city, Yamaguchi Prefecture (no visitors)
08:05 Depart from personal residence
08:48 Arrive at Mine City Mitou Hospital in Mine city, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Visit secretary
08:59 Depart from hospital
09:46 Visit local supporters’ residence in Shimonoseki city and give condolence call

PM
12:06 End visit
12:18 Arrive at Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Member Takase Toshiya’s residence. Give condolence call to his family
12:25 Depart from Mr. Takase’s residence
12:26 Arrive at Japanese restaurant Inamura. Lunch with Mr. Takase and colleagues
01:15 Depart from restaurant
01:33 Visit local supporters’ residence in Shimonoseki city and give condolence call
04:14 End visit
04:33 Arrive at personal residence
04:34 Meet with President of Japan Medical Association Yokokura Yoshitake and President of Fukuoka Prefecture Medical Association Matsuda Shunichiro
04:53 End meeting with Mr. Yokokura and Mr. Matsuda
06:34 Depart from personal residence
06:43 Arrive at Yamagin Archive. Reception by President of Yamaguchi Bank Fukuda Koichi. Visit Yamagin Archive with wife Akie
07:12 Depart from archive
07:25 Attend KANMON 2015 Firework Festival in Shimonoseki city. Deliver speech and watch fireworks with wife Akie
08:17 Depart from firework grounds
08:36 Arrive at barbecue restaurant Yakiniku Ariran. Dinner with wife Akie
09:39 Depart from restaurant
09:49 Arrive at New Miyazaki Building. Informal meeting with President of a supporters’ group
10:28 Depart from New Miyazaki Building
10:35 Arrive at personal residence

Prime Minister of Japan’s Schedule January 26-February 1, 2015

Translator’s note: As of 2015 names of National Diet facilities will be slightly different to more closely resemble the translations of facility names on the House of Councillors and House of Representatives websites. (Upper House Plenary Session Hall will now be Upper House Chamber, Lower House 1st Committee Members’ Room will now be Lower House Committee Room No. 1, etc.)

Monday, January 26, 2015

AM
12:00 At official residence (no visitors)
08:00 At official residence (no morning visitors)
08:55 Depart from official residence
08:56 Arrive at office
09:04 Extraordinary Session Cabinet Meeting begins
09:11 Cabinet Meeting ends
09:14 Meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Aso Taro
09:57 End meeting with Mr. Aso
10:18 Meet with Ministery of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s Minister Shimomura Hakubun and Vice-Minister Yamanaka Shinichi
10:33 End meeting with Mr. Shimomura and Mr. Yamanaka
11:26 Depart from office
11:28 Arrive at Diet
11:29 Enter Lower House Waiting Room No. 14
11:30 General Meeting of LDP Upper and Lower House Members
11:39 Meeting ends
11:40 Speak with LDP Vice-President Komura Masahiko
11:50 Finish speaking with Mr. Komura
11:51 Gathering of LDP Diet Members
11:54 Gathering ends
11:55 Speak with Chairperson of LDP General Council Nikai Toshihiro and Chairperson of LDP Policy Research Council Inada Tomomi
11:56 Finish speaking with Mr. Nikai and Ms. Inada
11:57 Leave Lower House Waiting Room No. 14
11:58 Enter Lower House Chamber

PM
12:02 Lower House Plenary Session opens
12:07 Lower House Plenary Session recess
12:08 Leave Lower House Chamber
12:09 Depart from Diet
12:11 Arrive at office
12:37 Depart from office
12:38 Arrive at Diet
12:39 Enter State Minsters’ Room
12:51 Leave room
12:52 Enter Upper House Chamber
01:00 Opening Ceremony for 189th Ordinary Diet Session
01:07 Ceremony ends
01:09 Leave Upper House Chamber
01:12 Depart from Diet
01:13 Arrive at office
01:39 Depart from office
01:40 Arrive at Diet
01:42 Enter Lower House Speaker’s Office. Greet Lower House Speaker Machimura Nobutaka and Vice-Speaker Kawabata Tatsuo. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu also attend
01:49 Leave room
01:51 Enter Upper House President’s Office. Greet President of Upper House Yamazaki Masaaki. Mr. Suga and Mr. Kato also attend
01:53 Leave room
01:54 Enter Upper House Vice-President’s Office. Greet Vice-President of Upper House Koshiishi Azuma
01:55 Leave room
01:57 Enter Lower House Speaker’s Drawing Room
02:00 Leave room, enter Lower House Chamber
02:02 Lower House Plenary Session reconvenes
02:08 Lower House Plenary Session adjourns
02:09 Leave Lower House Chamber
02:10 Enter State Ministers’ Room
02:25 Leave room
02:26 Enter Upper House President’s Reception Room
02:28 Leave room, enter Upper House Chamber
02:29 Speak with Mr. Aso
02:30 Finish speaking with Mr. Aso
02:31 Upper House Plenary Session reconvenes
02:37 Upper House Plenary Session adjourns
02:38 Leave Upper House Chamber
02:39 Depart from Diet
02:41 Arrive at office
02:55 Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru and Director of Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center Shimohira Koji enter
03:10 Mr. Shimohira leaves
03:26 Mr. Kitamura leaves
04:22 Meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kishida Fumio, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)’s Vice-Minister Saiki Akitaka, Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Uemura Tsukasa, and Director-General of Consular Affairs Bureau Miyoshi Mari
04:51 End meeting with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Saiki, Mr. Uemura, and Ms. Miyoshi
04:52 Depart from office
04:54 Arrive at Diet
04:55 Enter LDP Secretary-General’s Conference Room. Endorse candidates for Nara Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture gubernatorial elections
05:00 Leave room
05:02 Enter LDP President’s Office
05:03 LDP Officers Meeting
05:19 Meeting ends
05:27 Leave room
05:28 Enter State Ministers’ Room
05:29 Meet with Chairman of LDP Election Strategy Committee Motegi Toshimitsu
05:44 End meeting with Mr. Motegi
05:45 Leave room
05:46 Depart from Diet
05:48 Arrive at office
05:50 Administrative Reform Promotion Council meeting
05:54 Council meeting ends
06:06 Speak with young participant representatives of Cabinet Office’s Global Leaders Development Program
06:18 Finish speaking with representatives of Global Leaders Development Program
07:58 Depart from office
07:59 Arrive at official residence

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

AM
12:00 At official residence (no visitors)
08:00 At official residence (no morning visitors)
08:16 Depart from official residence
08:18 Arrive at office
08:20 Speak with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu
08:25 Finish speaking with Mr. Kato
09:27 Ministerial Council on Promotion of Policies for Dementia Care meeting
09:35 Council meeting ends
09:40 Cabinet Meeting begins
09:53 Cabinet Meeting ends
09:56 Ministerial Council on Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
10:09 Council meeting ends
10:15 Depart from office
10:21 Arrive at ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo in Akasaka, Tokyo
10:23 Speak with Chairman of The Nippon Foundation Sasakawa Yohei in banquet room Luminous within hotel. Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Shiozaki Yasuhisa also attends
10:30 Finish speaking with Mr. Sasakawa
10:31 Attend Global Appeal 2015 Announcement Ceremony addressing Leprosy with wife Akie in banquet hall Prominence, deliver address
10:39 Leave ceremony
10:40 Depart from hotel
10:46 Arrive at office
11:22 Meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kishida Fumio, MOFA’s Vice-Minister Saiki Akitaka, and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Uemura Tsukasa
11:53 End meeting with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Saiki, and Mr. Uemura

PM
12:52 Depart from office
12:53 Arrive at Diet
12:55 Enter Lower House Speaker’s Drawing Room
01:00 Leave room, enter Lower House Chamber
01:02 Lower House Plenary Session opens
03:13 Lower House Plenary Session adjourns
03:14 Leave Lower House Chamber
03:15 Depart from Diet
03:16 Arrive at office
03:29 Meet with Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Amari Akira, Cabinet Office’s Vice-Minister Matsuyama Kenji and Director-Generals for Policies on Cohesive Society Maekawa Mamoru, Habuka Shigeki, and Tawa Hiroshi
03:52 End meeting with Mr. Amari, Mr. Matsuyama, Mr. Maekawa, Mr. Habuka, and Mr. Tawa
03:56 Receive courtesy call from Mayor of Hofu City (Yamaguchi Prefecture) Matsuura Masato of Education Rebuilding Leaders Council and other council members
04:08 Courtesy call ends
04:33 Council on National Strategic Special Zones meeting
04:53 Council meeting ends
05:10 Exchange of opinions with patients concerning dementia policies. Mr. Shiozaki also attends
05:35 Finish exchanging opinions
06:04 Receive courtesy call from First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Rustam Sadikovich Azimov
06:26 Courtesy call ends
07:32 Depart from office
07:33 Arrive at official residence

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

AM
12:25 Meet with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide
12:42 End meeting with Mr. Suga
01:50 At official residence (no visitors)
08:00 At official residence (no morning visitors)
08:25 Depart from official residence
08:26 Arrive at office
08:27 Meet with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seko Hiroshige
09:24 End meeting with Mr. Seko
09:25 Speak with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kishida Fumio, MOFA’s Vice-Minister Saiki Akitaka, and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Uemura Tsukasa. Mr. Suga also attends
09:35 Finish speaking with Mr. Kishida, Mr. Saiki, and Mr. Uemura
09:37 Ministerial Council meeting
09:43 Council meeting ends
09:44 Interview open to all media: When asked “What did you talk discuss in the Ministerial Council meeting?” Mr. Abe answers “In these grave circumstances, the government is coming together as one to take direction and strive deliberately toward Mr. Goto Kenji’s swift release.”
09:45 Interview ends
09:51 Depart from office
09:53 Arrive at Diet
09:54 Enter Upper House President’s Reception Room
09:58 Leave room, enter Upper House Chamber
10:01 Upper House Plenary Session opens
11:24 Upper House Plenary Session recess
11:25 Leave Upper House Chamber
11:26 Depart from Diet
11:28 Arrive at office

PM
12:53 Depart from office
12:54 Arrive at Diet
12:56 Enter Upper House President’s Reception Room
12:58 Leave room, enter Upper House Chamber
01:01 Upper House Plenary Session reopens
02:11 Speak with Mr. Suga
03:37 Speak with Mr. Kishida
03:38 Finish speaking with Mr. Kishida
03:55 Upper House Plenary Session adjourns
03:56 Leave Upper House Chamber
04:00 Enter Lower House Committee Room No. 1
04:02 Lower House Budget Committee convenes
04:06 Budget Committee adjourns
04:07 Leave room
04:09 Enter Upper House Committee Room No. 1
04:13 Upper House Budget Committee convenes
04:18 Budget Committee adjourns
04:19 Leave room
04:22 Depart from Diet
04:23 Arrive at office
05:27 Education Rebuilding Implementation Council meeting
05:47 Council meeting ends
07:34 Depart from office
07:36 Arrive at official residence

Prime Minister of Japan’s Schedule September 8-14, 2014

Monday, September 8, 2014

AM
(Local time in Sri Lanka)
View Kelaniya Temple on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Depart from Colombo (Bandaranaike) International Airport on private government aircraft

PM
(Japan time)
08:59 Finish visit to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, arrive at Haneda Airport on private government aircraft with wife Akie
09:10 Depart from Haneda Airport
09:34 Arrive at private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
09:32 Depart from private residence
09:47 Arrive at office
09:48 Interview open to all media: When asked “What do you think of a Japanese player taking second in the US Open Tennis Championships?” Mr. Abe answers “I want our players to do their best to take first.”
09:49 Interview ends
10:02 Cabinet Meeting begins
10:13 Cabinet Meeting ends
10:18 Speak with Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan Ishiba Shigeru
10:29 Finish speaking with Mr. Ishiba
10:30 Speak with State Minister of Cabinet Office Taira Masaaki
10:43 Finish speaking with Mr. Taira
11:12 Depart from office
11:20 Arrive at Imperial Palace, register return to Japan
11:27 Depart from Imperial Palace
11:37 Arrive at office

PM
12:09 Ruling Party Liaison Conference
12:24 Conference ends
12:25 Speak with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide, LDP Secretary-General Tanigaki Sadakazu, and Chairman of LDP Election Committee Motegi Toshimitsu
12:38 Finish speaking with Mr. Suga, Mr. Tanigaki, and Mr. Motegi
01:09 Meet with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Obuchi Yuko, Commissioner of Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Ueda Takayuki, and Secretary-General of Nuclear Regulation Authority Ikeda Katsuhiko
01:33 End meeting with Ms. Obuchi, Mr. Ueda, and Mr. Ikeda
01:41 Speak with Cabinet Office’s Director-General of Decoration Bureau Kuroba Ryosuke
01:47 Finish speaking with Mr. Kuroba
01:51 Meet with Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Saiki Akitaka
02:49 End meeting with Mr. Saiki
02:50 Receive courtesy call from truck driver Yamane Rie, plasterer Fukuyoshi Natsuko, and colleagues (female truckers and construction workers)
03:03 Courtesy call ends
03:04 Meet with Mr. Saiki
03:28 End meeting with Mr. Saiki
03:39 Filming for event concerned with women
03:42 Filming ends
04:03 Receive courtesy call from CEO of US space venture SpaceX and Tesla Elon Musk
04:14 Courtesy call ends
04:32 Council on National Strategic Zones meeting
04:55 Meeting ends
05:06 Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru, Director of National Security Council (NSC) Yachi Shotaro, and Director of Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center Shimohira Koji enter
05:19 Mr. Yachi and Mr. Shimohira leave
05:26 Mr. Kitamura leaves
06:02 Receive courtesy call from President of House of Councillors of Morocco Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah
06:23 Courtesy call ends
06:33 Depart from office
06:53 Arrive at private residence

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
09:30 Depart from private residence
09:44 Arrive at office
10:03 Receive courtesy call from Australia’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop
10:19 Courtesy call ends
10:35 Council for the Protection of Information meeting
11:14 Meeting ends
11:19 Ceremony to Present Prime Minister’s Commendation to Contributors for Disaster Prevention
11:37 Ceremony ends
11:38 Meet with Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan Ishiba Shigeru

PM
12:03 End meeting with Mr. Ishiba
12:06 Depart from office
12:07 Arrive at official residence
12:09 Lunch meeting with female ambassadors to Japan hosted by Prime Minister Abe
01:22 Lunch meeting ends
01:23 Depart from official residence
01:24 Arrive at office
03:05 Depart from office
03:31 Arrive at free school Tokyo Shure in Kishimachi, Tokyo. Engage in activities with pupils who had issues attending school, and have an exchange of ideas with those pupils
04:04 Interview open to all media: When asked “What was your aim in visiting the school?” Mr. Abe answers “My take-away is that there are a variety of methods to approaching education. I want to examine what support we can offer academically and economically.”
04:14 Interview ends
04:46 Arrive at office
05:00 NSC meeting
05:52 NSC meeting ends
05:53 Meet with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Obuchi Yuko, Minister of the Environment Mochizuki Yoshio, and Secretary-General of Nuclear Regulation Authority Ikeda Katsuhiko
06:20 End meeting with Ms. Obuchi, Mr. Mochizuki, and Mr. Ikeda
06:24 Depart from office
06:25 Arrive at official residence. Dinner with LDP incoming Secretary-General Tanigaki Sadakazu and outgoing Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru, Chairperson of General Council Nikai Toshihiro, incoming Chairperson of Policy Research Council Inada Tomomi and outgoing Chairperson Takaichi Sanae, and colleagues
08:16 Everyone leaves

Thursday, September 11, 2014

AM
12:00 At official residence (no visitors)
08:00 At official residence (no morning visitors)
09:24 Depart from official residence
09:25 Arrive at office
09:36 Receive courtesy call from Japan Foundation Asia Center’s First Dispatch Group of Japanese Language Partners Enda Tamao and others
09:43 Courtesy call ends
09:52 Depart from office
09:59 Arrive at Japan Fire Station Hall [日本消防会館: Nihon Shobo Kaikan] in Toranomon, Tokyo
10:00 Attend National Memorial Service for Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives on Duty in Nissho Hall, deliver address, and offer flowers
10:31 Memorial service ends
10:32 Depart from Nissho Hall
10:37 Arrive at office
10:38 Meet with Minister of State for Regulatory Reform Arimura Haruko
11:05 End meeting with Ms. Arimura
11:08 Interview with Vice-Chair of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Jacques Lochard and other radiation specialists. Chairman of The Nippon Foundation Sasakawa Yohei also attends
11:27 Interview ends
11:30 Robot Revolution Realization Council meeting

PM
12:07 Meeting ends
12:12 Conference with President of Bank of Japan Kuroda Haruhiko commences
01:06 Conference with Mr. Kuroda closes
01:21 Depart from office
01:26 Arrive at Hotel Okura in Toranomon, Tokyo. Attend remembrance ceremony in honor of former Chairman of Cabinet Legislation Bureau, the late Komatsu Ichiro. Offer flowers and deliver address
01:41 Depart from hotel
01:49 Arrive at office
02:03 Meet with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)’s Director-General of Foreign Policy Bureau Hiramatsu Kenji and Director of Gender Mainstreaming Division Matsukawa Rui
02:47 End meeting with Mr. Hiramatsu and Ms. Matsukawa
02:48 Speak with Cabinet Advisor Furusawa Mitsuhiro and Executive Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kajikawa Mikio
02:59 Finish speaking with Mr. Furusawa and Mr. Kajikawa
03:00 Speak with Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Furuya Kazuyuki
03:10 Finish speaking with Mr. Furuya
03:36 Depart from office
03:46 Arrive at Nippon Broadcasting System in Yuraku-cho, Tokyo
04:00 Participate in radio program “The Voice: Soko made iu ka!” [ザ・ボイス　そこまで言うか！]
04:32 Finish participation in radio program
04:36 Depart from Nippon Broadcasting System
04:40 Arrive at office
04:47 Meet with MOFA’s Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Ihara Junichi
05:16 End meeting with Mr. Ihara
05:17 Speak with Ministry of Defense’s Administrative Vice-Minister Nishi Masanori and Director-General of Bureau of Defense Policy Kuroe Tetsuro
05:27 Finish speaking with Mr. Nishi and Mr. Kuroe
05:31 Meet with Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Amari Akira
05:51 End meeting with Mr. Amari
05:52 Meet with Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishida Fumio and MOFA’s Director-General of European Affairs Bureau Hayashi Hajime
06:17 End meeting Mr. Kishida and Mr. Hayashi
06:33 Depart from office
06:47 Arrive at sushi restaurant Kozasa in Shinsen-cho, Tokyo. Dinner meeting hosted by Prime Minister Abe for Managing Director of IMF Christine Lagarde, Mr. Furusawa and Mr. Hiramatsu also attend
08:42 Depart from restaurant
08:48 Arrive at private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo

Friday, September 12, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
08:45 Depart from private residence
09:00 Arrive at office
09:03 Speak with Chairman of General Assembly of LDP Members in House of Councillors Mizote Kensei. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide also attends
09:18 Finish speaking with Mr. Mizote
09:19 Speak with Minister in charge of Promoting Women’s Active Participation Arimura Haruko
09:26 Finish speaking with Ms. Arimura
09:27 Speak with Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Amari Akira and Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office Matsuyama Kenji
09:36 Finish speaking with Mr. Amari and Mr. Matsuyama
09:47 Strategic Headquarters for Space Development meeting
09:58 Meeting ends
10:03 Cabinet Meeting begins
10:17 Cabinet Meeting ends
10:21 Joint Meeting of Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Council
10:40 Joint meeting ends
10:54 Headquarters for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan meeting
11:09 Meeting ends
11:10 Meet with Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru
11:41 End meeting with Mr. Kitamura
11:42 Speak with MOFA’s Vice-Minister Saiki Akitaka and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau Uemura Tsukasa. Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanehara Nobukatsu also attends
11:53 Finish speaking with Mr. Saiki and Mr. Uemura
11:54 Speak with Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture Yuzaki Hidehiko

PM
12:00 Finish speaking with Mr. Yuzaki
12:44 Speak with Director of NSC Yachi Shotaro
12:53 Finish speaking with Mr. Yachi
12:57 Depart from office
01:07 Arrive at Federation of Economic Organizations [Keidanren] Assembly Hall in Otemachi, Tokyo. Attend World Assembly for Women [女性が輝く社会に向けた国際シンポジウム: Jyosei ga Kagayaku Shakai ni muketa Kokusai Shinpojiumu] in International Meeting Hall, give speech
03:27 Receive courtesy call from former President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Naina Lal Kidwai and colleagues in Momoyama Room
03:47 Courtesy call ends

Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura

03:53 Receive courtesy call from Special Representative of Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura and colleagues in Muromachi Room
04:17 Courtesy call ends
04:25 Receive courtesy call from U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy in Momoyama Room
04:55 Receive courtesy call from former Prime Minister of UK Tony Blair’s wife Cherie in Muromachi Room
05:17 Courtesy call ends
05:23 Conference with Speaker of Jatiyo Sangshad (Bangladesh’s Parliament) Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in Momoyama Room
05:42 Conference ends
06:05 Attend World Assembly for Women reception in Diamond Room, deliver address
06:51 Reception ends
06:52 Depart from Federation of Economic Organizations [Keidanren] Assembly Hall
07:29 Arrive at private residence

Saturday, September 13, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
08:36 Depart from official residence
08:51 Arrive at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in Roppongi, Tokyo. Attend a high-level round table of World Assembly for Women in cultural center Roppongi Academy Hills within Mori Tower, deliver opening greeting
10:06 Receive courtesy call from Co-Chair of Disney Media Networks Anne Sweeney and colleagues at Italian restaurant La Cucina within membership club Roppongi Hills Club
10:30 Courtesy call ends
10:34 Receive courtesy call from Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and colleagues
10:51 Courtesy call ends
11:03 Participate in subcommittee small group meeting of World Assembly for Women in Roppongi Academy Hills

PM
12:26 Subcommittee meeting ends
12:27 Depart from Roppongi Academy Hills
12:28 Arrive at hotel Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi, Tokyo. Dinner with secretaries at Japanese restaurant Shunbou within hotel
01:40 Depart from restaurant
01:50 Arrive at Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya Public Hall in Hibiya Park, Tokyo. Attend assembly related to North Korean abduction issues Citizens’ Rally: “We cannot wait any longer! We want results this year!” and deliver address
02:15 Depart from Hibiya Park
02:32 Arrive at private residence

Sunday, September 14, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:18 Depart from private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo
08:32 Arrive at NHK Chiyoda Broadcasting Hall in Kioi-cho, Tokyo
09:00 Appear in debate programming
09:30 Finish debate
09:33 Depart from NHK Chiyoda Broadcasting Hall
09:50 Arrive at private residence

PM
Stay at private residence throughout the afternoon and evening (no visitors)

Provisional Translation by: Erin M. Jones

Prime Minister of Japan’s Schedule August 18-24, 2014

Monday, August 18, 2014

AM
12:00 At holiday home (no visitors)
08:00 At holiday home in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture (no visitors)
Stay at holiday home throughout the morning (no visitors)

PM
12:40 Depart from holiday home
12:49 Arrive at hot spring Fujiyama Onsen in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Bathe
03:09 Depart from Fujiyama Onsen
03:19 Arrive at holiday home
04:52 Ministry of Finance (MOF)’s Director-General of Budget Bureau Tanaka Kazuho enters
05:36 Commence dinner meeting with Mr. Tanaka and secretaries
05:43 Cabinet Advisor Honda Etsuro joins
10:34 Dinner meeting ends
10:35 Mr. Honda leaves
10:47 Everyone leaves

The above is 2009 interview with Mr. Sasakawa Yohei who is reportedly a major benefactor to Prime Minister Abe. Yohei's father Ryohei was close to Abe's grandfather Kishi Nobusuke.

Yohei Sasakawa: Indeed, it's very important, as you say, to educate the people. When we talk about education, we need political leaders, scholars, teachers and academicians to be involved, to really be aware of the seriousness of the situation we have on our hands. For each of the people in our lives, we need to be able to convey the correct information about the seriousness of the problem, to establish some sort of policy mechanism that we can spread to different countries.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

AM
12:00 At holiday home (no visitors)
07:04 Depart from holiday home in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture
07:07 Arrive at golf course Fujizakura Country Club in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. Play golf with wife Akie, Chairman of Fuji Television Network Hieda Hisashi, Cabinet Advisor Honda Etsuro, and MOF’s Director-General of Budget Bureau Tanaka Kazuho

PM
02:33 Depart from Fujizakura Country Club
02:36 Arrive at holiday home
05:49 Depart from holiday home
05:55 Arrive at Chairman of The Nippon Foundation Sasakawa Yohei’s holiday home in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. Dinner with former Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motegi Toshimitsu; Senior Vice-Minister of Cabinet Office Nishimura Yasuhiko; Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishi Nobuo; Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu; Special Advisor to President of the LDP Hagiuda Koichi; LDP Lower House member Yamamoto Yuji; Mr. Sasakawa; and Mr. Hieda
09:59 Depart from Mr. Sasakawa’s holiday home
10:05 Arrive at own holiday home

For an excellent analysis of this get together, see: Shisaku, August 21, 2014, "Golf is just another four letter word."

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

AM
12:00 At holiday home (no visitors)
07:22 Depart from holiday home in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture
07:26 Arrive at golf course Fujizakura Country Club in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. Play golf with former Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motegi Toshimitsu; Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kishi Nobuo; Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu; Special Advisor to President of the LDP Hagiuda Koichi; LDP Lower House member Yamamoto Yuji; Chairman of Fuji Television Network Hieda Hisashi; and Chairman of The Nippon Foundation Sasakawa Yohei
09:19 Depart from Fujizakura Country Club
09:22 Arrive at holiday home
09:41 Depart from holiday home
10:59 Arrive at office
11:22 Meet with Minister of State for Disaster Management Furuya Keiji and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management Nishimura Yasuhiko at Crisis Management Center. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide also attends
11:23 Interview open to all media: When asked “What is the government’s reaction to Hiroshima City’s landslide disaster?” Mr. Abe answers “The government has come together to issue instructions, coordinating lifesaving aid.”
11:24 Interview ends

PM
12:44 Meet with Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru
01:22 End meeting with Mr. Kitamura
02:00 Depart from office
02:01 Arrive at official residence
05:19 Mr. Nishimura enters
05:44 Mr. Nishimura leaves
05:54 Depart from official residence
07:42 Arrive at holiday home

Thursday, August 21, 2014

AM
12:00 At holiday home (no visitors)
08:00 At holiday home in Narusawa Village, Yamansashi Prefecture (no morning visitors)
10:34 Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru enters
11:13 JR Tokai Honorary President Kasai Yoshiyuki joins

PM
12:57 Mr. Kasai leaves
01:00 Mr. Kitamura leaves
01:40 Depart from holiday home
03:04 Arrive at official residence
03:15 Depart from official residence
03:17 Arrive at office
03:25 Meet with Minister of State from Disaster Management Furuya Keiji. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide also attends
04:02 End meeting with Mr. Furuya
04:03 Disaster Response Meeting among Relevant Ministries and Agencies for Torrential Rainfall
04:18 Meeting ends
05:06 Depart from office
05:32 Arrive at private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo

Friday, August 22, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
08:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
09:40 Depart from private residence
09:55 Arrive at office
10:08 Meet with Director of Cabinet Intelligence Kitamura Shigeru
10:29 End meeting with Mr. Kitamura
11:04 Meet with former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shionoya Ryu
11:19 End meeting with Mr. Shionoya
11:30 Speak with Chairman of LDP Research Commission on Regional Diplomatic and Economic Partnership Eto Seishiro, Chairman of LDP Special Mission Committee on Territories Nukaga Fukushiro and colleagues
11:43 Finish speaking with Mr. Eto, Mr. Nukaga and colleagues

PM
02:08 Meet with Cabinet Advisor Iijima Isao
02:38 End meeting with Mr. Iijima
03:02 Ministerial Council on Torrential Rain
03:18 Council meeting ends
03:32 Meet with LDP Lower House member Kawai Katsuyuki
04:02 End meeting with Mr. Kawai
05:40 Depart from office
05:41 Arrive at official residence

Saturday, August 23, 2014

AM
12:00 At official residence (no visitors)
08:00 At official residence (no morning visitors)
11:44 Depart from official residence
11:54 Arrive at Komyo-ji Temple in Toranomon, Tokyo. Attend memorial service for the late Ushio Haruko, wife of Chairman of Ushio electronics company Ushio Jiro

PM
01:29 Depart from Komyo-ji Temple
01:47 Arrive at private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo

Sunday, August 24, 2014

AM
12:00 At private residence (no visitors)
10:00 At private residence in Tomigaya, Tokyo (no morning visitors)
Stay at private residence throughout the morning (no visitors)

PM
Stay at private residence throughout the afternoon and evening (no visitors)

Provisional Translation by: Erin M. Jones

Prime Minister of Japan's Schedule August 12-26, 2013

Shoin Shrine

[For a good review of this Week with the Prime Minister, see Shisaku.]

August 12, 2013 (Mon)

AM
09:37 Office
10:32 Courtesy Call from Youths from Israel and Palestine
11:21 Press Interview
11:49 Haneda Airport

PM
12:19 Leave the airport on JAL Flight 1645 with Mrs. Akie Abe
01:33 Arrive at Yamaguchi Ube Airport
02:54 Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, “Kaneko Farm,” Observe Japanese Pear Farm; Take photos with Akiyoshi Pear Production and Sales Cooperative members
04:07 Nagato-city, visity his father and ancestor’s grave yard
04:54 JR Nagato-shi Station, Walk through
05:48 In front of Nagato City Office
05:56 Give remarks at welcome ceremony
06:24 Ootani Sanso in Nagato city
06:56 Attend dinner party hosted by his local supporters; Stay in this hotel


August 13, 2013 (Tue)

AM
10:29 Nagato-city, observes Tougo Stepped Rice Paddy; Mrs. Abe accompanies
11:43 Visit his supporters’ homes in Hagi City, Yamaguchi

PM
12:10 Road Station “Hagi Seamart”; Lunch with Takeo Kawamura, LDP Lower House Member, in Seafood Restaurant “Hama Ryori Gangan”
01:25 Shoin Shrine
01:55 Press Interviews
02:03 Observes Shouka Sonjuku
02:26 Visit tomb of Shoin Yoshida [executed spiritual father of the Meiji Restoration, born August 4, 1830.]
04:09 Yamaguchi Ube Airport
04:53 Leave the airport on ANA Flight 698
06:12 Arrive at Haneda Airport
06:49 Dinner with friends in Japanese Restaurant Shinmai, Shirokane, Tokyo
09:28 home in Tomigaya

August 14, 2013 (Wed)

AM
10:49 Tokyo, Roppongi, Hotel Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Exercise at NAGOMI Spa and Fitness

PM
02:32 Home in Tomigaya
06:02 Hongaku-ji temple in Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City; Attend funeral of his secretary’s funeral
06:47 Hotel New Otani; Dinner with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga; Hidenao Nakagawa, Former LDP Secretary General; and Tsutomu Shida, Shidax Advisor
08:48 Home in Tomigaya

August 15, 2013 (Thu)

AM
08:44 Office
08:52 Deputy Foreign Minister Sugiyama; Kouzuki, MoFA European Affairs Director General
09:15 Kouzuki leaves
09:24 Sugiyama leaves
09:30 Courtesy Call from United States Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the United States
10:12 Ministerial meeting
10:27 Ministerial Council on Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues
10:39 Amari, Minister in charge of Total Reform of Social Security and Tax; and Nakamura, Cabinet Secretariat Social Security Reform Director
10:57 Courtesy Call from the Japanese National Team for the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest
11:17 Press Interviews
11:26 Offers Prayers at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery
11:33 Nippon Budoukan
11:51 Attends the Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead

PM
01:02 The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, Nagata-cho; Lunch with Secretaries at Restaurant Origami
01:56 Hotel Hilton Tokyo, Nishi Shinjuku, Haircut at Barber Shop Muragi
03:21 Home in Tomigaya
05:50 Summer Home in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture
06:56 Summer home of Yohei Sasakawa, President of Nippon Zaidan [Foundation, largest in Japan]: President Sasakawa; Former PM Yoshiro Mori; Motegi, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Ishihara, Minister of Environment; Kato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Koichi Hagiuda, LDP President Special Advisor
09:18 Summer home

Undermining National Honor

Ryoichi Sasakawa
father of Yohei and
founder of Nippon Foundation

Over the past few months, the Government of Japan has pursued a policy of denying that Imperial Japan's military was involved in the development and management of the Comfort Women system throughout their Empire. This effort has surprised and angered American officials. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, an ardent advocate of women's rights, has asked her staff to call the Comfort Women what they were: "sex slaves."

Although the 1993 Kono Statement, which is put forth as the semi-official Japanese Government apology to the Comfort Women, clearly notes government involvement, the Administration of Prime Minister Noda appears to be disputing its conclusion. Noda's government is anxious about recent Korean and Korean American efforts to honor the Comfort Women and to elevate the issue as an example of Japan's amoral nature.

Further, many members of Japan's private sector believe that the Kono Statement was inaccurate and the Comfort Women were merely paid prostitutes. The subject is a prominent advocacy issue for leading conservative organizations in Japan such as Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference).

In late June, the head of Japan's largest and most powerful group of foundations, Yohei Sasakawa, issued an op ed in the Sankei Shimbun condemning the Kono Statement and urging his peers to speak out against the Comfort Women. The Sasakawa family of foundations includes, the Nippon Foundation, Tokyo Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, US-Japan Foundation, Ocean Policy Research Foundation, and Shipbuilding Foundation. These foundations are the major, if not the sole funders of American researchers and think tanks that work on Japan issues. The op ed is a warning to them.

Below we provide a provisional translation for the scholarly community. We welcome suggestions to improve it.

A Sound Argument: Be Sensitive to National Honor and Dignity

By Nippon Foundation President, Yohei Sasakawa

Sankei Shimbun, June 21, 2012
Japanese tend to consider being reserved in expressing an opinion a desirable quality. This comes from their traditional spirit that respects harmony. I think this is a great virtue of the Japanese culture. But weak self-assertiveness is becoming one of the biggest obstacles to Japan for its international relations.

The Comfort Women issue between Japan and Korea poses one such example. Japan’s arguments are frustratingly weak against Korea’s aggressive assertions about the Comfort Women. History issues form the basis of a country. Future generation will have to carry the Comfort Women issue as a “negative legacy” if we do nothing today. Japan did not abandon its national dignity when it lost World War II. The Japanese government and politicians must be more sensitive to our national honor and dignity. They must say what they have to say. Such an attitude is what will lead to Japan-Korea friendship.

History Issues Form the Basis of a Country

Korean residents that occupy more than half of the population in Palisades Park, New Jersey built a monument commemorating comfort women tragedy. About the same time, a similar monument appeared on the street right in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. President Lee Myung-bak mentioned at a meeting with Prime Minister Noda that Japan had to prioritize the Comfort Women issue. President Lee said, “Japanese will see second, third, and more monuments if Japan does not take any sincere measures.” This can be considered “blackmail.”

Last month, Japanese consulate-general in New York and four Japanese Diet members visited Palisades Park and asked the city mayor to remove the monument. The mayor denied their request. The Korean media reported “Japan’s huge embarrassment.” Twenty-two other U.S. cities have movements to build a similar monument.

The monument in the U.S. states, “the Japanese Imperial military abducted 200,000 women and girls and forced them to serve as Comfort Women.” Prime Minister Noda answered a question in an Upper House Budget Committee that this “is far from the truth.” If the Japanese ignore this issue, it might become a historical fact. Correct history does not derive from an awkward relationship in which one makes an assertion and the other keeps silence.

When the U.S. House International Relations Committee adopted the resolution condemning Japan in the summer of 2007, I visited Senator Daniel Inouye’s office in Washington, DC. Senator Inouye opposed the resolution as a Senator. He pointed out that the Chinese and Korean public and private entities conducted public relations campaigns to influence American lawmakers and media. He said, “Japan is too quiet. Silence is not a good strategy in the United States.” There is also a massive Korean campaign requesting a change from “Sea of Japan” to “East Sea.”

Non-Existence of Public Diplomacy

When I visit foreign countries, there were many occasions where the heads of states told me that Japan’s public diplomacy is non-existent and that “Japan’s face is invisible.” Even if this is not the case, the Japan-Korea relationship remains particularly difficult. Japan’s overly apologetic feelings and unnecessary thoughtfulness toward the counterpart have partially contributed to the awkward Japan-Korea relationship. President Lee’s comments seem to be an unwilling choice forced by an increasing anti-Japan sentiment rather than a strategy to regain his approval rating

The first cause of this situation can be attributed to 1993 Kono Danwa (Statement). Yohei Kono served as Chief Cabinet Secretary under the Miyazawa administration. In the statement, Kono admitted to the use of force by the Japanese imperial military despite the lack of direct evidence from 230 official documents collected by the Japanese government. The statement shook the Japanese position that Japan had settled the compensation and reparation issues with the 1965 Japan-Korea Basic Relations Treaty.

After the Kono Danwa, the Koreans escalated their demands. The Japanese government repeated an apology and made repentance when there were opportunities. Even after DPJ came to power, they repeated the same mistake. DPJ ministers said such things as, “it is important for each side to exercise wisdom and overcome issues step-by-step” or “many foreigners would hold Japan credible if we tackle on the Comfort Women and post-war compensation issue.”

President Lee used the phrase “strong ties between the two countries” at the summit meeting in Beijing this May. However, we cannot have a meaningful Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) or General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) without clarifying the history issue. I also think that sticking to the “past with Japan” does not give Korea a positive prospect: now that Korea has grown into an economic giant.

The Koreans use the Comfort Women issue as a political weapon, on and off like a whale’s blowhole. It prevented the two countries from building mutual trust. The international community also closely watches how the two countries will solve this issue. Both countries must have a transparent, honest dialogue. If the Kono Danwa lacks verification, Japan should retract it without fear. If Japan would like to request the removal of the monuments, it should do so without reservation. Also, Japan should emphasize more its contribution to Korea’s economic development after the war.

Time for Japan to Step Forward

Repeating wishful thinking and speaking without a concrete strategy will fuel Korea’s anti-Japan sentiment. Besides, Japanese antipathy against Korea will deepen behind the boom of Korean culture in Japan. The relationship with neighboring countries should not be a house of cards.

This is the time for Japan to step up. Because the history issues form the basis of a country, Japan should articulate with national dignity its views and arguments. Otherwise, both sides will not find any compromise, and situation will remain the same. I hope the politicians will have courage and determination on this issue.